§ 13. Mr. BorrowTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to expand the countryside stewardship scheme. [103785]
§ Mr. MorleyI have already announced plans for a major expansion of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Over the next seven years, spending on agri-environment schemes will double. Of the £1 billion to be allocated during this period to these schemes, £500 million will be for the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. We will be discussing with farming and conservation organisations how the extra funding should be used to achieve the best environmental value for money.
§ 24. Mr. GroganTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the value of the countryside stewardship scheme to rural conservation. [103798]
§ Mr. MorleyWe believe, as do most environmental organisations, that the Countryside Stewardship is of considerable value to rural conservation, and I recently announced a very significant expansion of the Scheme. We are currently funding an independent study to assess the environmental benefits of the Scheme in more detail.